Kevin Lara from Reading, Pennsylvania, posted security footage on Facebook showing two porch pirates racing each other to his front door to steal a package containing “very expensive” AT&T cell phones. The footage captured a FedEx driver delivering the package, taking a photo, and walking back to his van, moments before the thieves arrived in their cars and sprinted to grab the package.
In the video, the two thieves, one wearing a black hoodie and the other in white shorts, can be seen wrestling over the box. The thief in the hoodie grabs the package first and allegedly brandishes a knife at the other thief, who backs away. The victorious thief then takes the package back to his car, while the one in white shorts picks up a flowerpot and yells at him. Both thieves eventually drive away from the scene.
Lara expressed concern for the safety of his family, as the situation could have turned violent if one of his family members had been present during the theft. He questioned the state of the world and the lengths to which individuals are willing to go to steal packages. The incident has been reported to the Reading Police Department for further investigation.
This incident is just one in a series of similar thefts involving porch pirates targeting packages delivered by FedEx drivers. In a recent case in Columbus, Ohio, a masked thief was caught on camera stealing a package within seconds of it being delivered to a customer’s porch by a FedEx driver. This trend highlights the importance of home security measures and vigilance in protecting packages from theft.
The security footage of the porch pirate incident has sparked discussions about the rise in package thefts, particularly during the holiday season when online shopping and deliveries are at their peak. Authorities, including local police departments, are urging residents to take precautions such as installing security cameras, using secure delivery lockers, and requiring signatures for package deliveries to deter thieves from targeting their homes.
Despite the shocking nature of the porch pirate incident, Kevin Lara hopes that sharing the footage will raise awareness about the prevalence of package thefts and encourage others to take steps to protect their deliveries. The incident serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement in order to prevent further thefts in their neighborhoods. As the holiday season approaches, it is essential for residents to be proactive in safeguarding their packages and ensuring that they are not targeted by porch pirates looking to take advantage of the increase in online shopping.